School board hears architects

The Baldwin school board Monday night listened to presentations from two architectural firms, bringing the number to three firms the district is considering for additions and renovations to district buildings.

Hollis & Miller and Treanor Architects sought to design a master plan of district needs and discussed their services and fees with board members. The board previously heard from the Frangkiser Hutchens firm at its May 8 meeting.

Hollis & Miller, with offices in Overland Park and Lee's Summit, Mo., has worked with Supt. James White in the Oskaloosa school district. Treanor Architects, with offices in Lawrence, Kansas City, Topeka and Texas, has worked extensively in the Lawrence school district with projects including the Sunflower Elementary School and renovation of Lawrence High School.

The board was seeking to hire an architectural firm for projects including classroom additions to Baldwin Junior High School and Vinland Elementary School; an auditorium addition at Baldwin High School; renovation of the Baldwin Elementary School gymnasium and the BJHS auditorium; installation of air conditioning in the BJHS gym; and the addition of a pick-up and drop-off area at BJHS.

The board estimated the projects to cost roughly $3 million and planned to fund them through its local option budget. However, all the architectural firms are encouraging the district develop a master plan of long-term needs, versus investing in projects that may only serve the district's space needs for a few years.

Frangkiser Hutchens said it could develop a master plan for the district for a $7,500-$10,000 fee.

Treanor Architects, represented by Nadia Zhiri and Rick Woodbridge, said it would be hard to beat the Frangkiser Hutchens master plan fee. The firms project fees run between 6-10 percent of the project cost.

Hollis & Miller said its master plan fee could be incorporated into the project cost. The firm charges 6 percent of new construction cost and 7 percent of renovation cost.

The board did not take any action on choosing an architect at Monday's meeting, called for the purpose of interviewing the architects. The board meets again on June 12.